Chemical / Biological Incident

It is important to act on chemical exposures immediately following the exposure to minimize health and safety effects. The initial first aid treatment is dependent on the route of the exposure.

Exposure to Body / Eyes / Clothing:

• Alert others around you
• Remove contaminated clothing
• Rinse affected area with water for at least 15 minutes, using the safety shower or eye-wash if necessary
• Call x5000 (626-395-5000) and notify Supervisor
• Consult the SDS
• Seek medical attention

Exposure by Inhalation or Ingestion:

• Alert others around you
• Evacuate to fresh air
• Call x5000 (626-395-5000) and notify Supervisor
• Consult the SDS
• Seek medical attention

Exposure by Injection (needles or broken glass):

• Alert others around you
• Wash the affected area immediately with water and soap for 15 minutes
• Call x5000 (626) 395-5000)
• Notify Supervisor
• Consult the SDS
• Seek medical attention

In the event of a chemical spill, the first step is to assess the nature of the spill to determine if it constitutes an emergency or if it is safe to clean up. Some chemical spills can be contained and cleaned up by the laboratory personnel if they have the proper equipment available and are trained to do so. Chemical spills SHOULD NOT be cleaned by the laboratory and are considered an emergency when:

• The spill results in an environmental release or is in a public area
• The substance or hazards are unknown
• The chemical is highly flammable, highly toxic, strongly reactive, or explosive
• The spill poses an inhalation hazard and is outside of a fume hood or glovebox (i.e. respiratory protection is needed)

For chemical spills considered an emergency:

• Alert others in the area
• Call x5000 from a Caltech phone or 626-395-5000 from a cell phone
• Notify Supervisor
• Confine the spill area if possible and safe to do so
• If life safety is threatened, follow evacuation procedures
• Provide pertinent information to emergency responders

For chemical spills not considered an emergency:

• Alert others around you
• Limit access to the affected area
• Wear appropriate protective clothing (safety glasses, disposable gloves, lab coat, closed toed shoes) during clean-up
• If necessary, neutralize spill using applicable neutralizer
• Absorb the spill with the appropriate material
• Dispose of all contaminated material as hazardous waste

Call the Environment, Health and Safety Office at x 6727 or 626-395-6727 if assistance is needed.

• If possible isolate or contain the source of the release
• If flammable material is involved, turn off all sources of ignition
• If life safety is threatened, follow evacuation procedure
• Provide pertinent information to emergency response personnel

• Alert people in the immediate area of the spill
• Distance yourself and close off the spill area for at least 30 minutes to allow any bio aerosols to settle
• Put on protective clothing (disposable gloves, lab coat, shoe covers, and a face shield) during clean-up
• Cover the spill with paper towels or other absorbent material
• Pour a freshly prepared solution of 1:10 dilution of household bleach to water on the spill. Be careful to avoid any splashing
• Allow a 20 minute contact period with the bleach solution
• Use paper towels to clean-up the spill working from the edge to the center
• Dispose of all contaminated material in a red biohazardous waste container for pick-up by EHS
• Call the Environment, Health, and Safety Office at 626 395 6727 if help is needed for cleanup. Afterhours: call Security at 626 395 5000 and ask for the on call EHS person.